Longfellow, Ivan Lee

LONGFELLOW, NASH, POLSELY, UPDIKE, MANSELL

Posted By: Lorelei Rusco (email)
Date: 11/24/2013 at 13:03:43

Longfellow, Ivan Lee -
Ivan Lee Longfellow was born on August 2, 1920 in Taylor County, Iowa to Henry and Alta Nash Longfellow. He completed grade school in the country and moved to Bedford so he could attend high school. He graduated in 1937.
In 1939 Ivan married Thelma Joyce Polsely and moved to a farm southwest of Clearfield. A year later they moved to a farm east of Clearfield.
To this union were born five children: Richard, Diana. Patricia, Connie (deceased) and Dixie.
Ivan helped his father dig water wells from 1934-1941. Ivan then purchased his own drilling rig and then went on to build a successful family corporation, where he spent the rest of his life involved in the family business.
Ivan was one of the founders and promoters of the Clearfield Lions Iowa State Fair Shuttle bus service developed in 1964. While serving as President of the Clearfield Lions Club Ivan promoted and participated in the construction of the Lions Club building.
Ivan had also been a partner in an Oliver Implement dealership. He and Thelma built Clearfield's first and only laundromat. Thelma
passed away in 1968.
In 1969 Ivan married Marion Updike of Corning, Iowa. They lived on the farm until 1974 and then moved into Clearfield. They enjoyed wintering in Texas. Marion died in 1993.
In 1995 Ivan became engaged to Arlene Hansell of Diagonal. She became his constant companion. They enjoyed winters in Texas and traveling together.
Ivan passed away January 15 after a fun filled day with Arlene and friends at their winter home in Alamo, Texas.
Ivan was a member of the Clearfield Methodist Church, Clearfield Lions Club, Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors, Masonic Lodge
No. 458, Past President of the Iowa Water Well Association, and member of the Clearfield City Council.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alta Longfellow, brothers Carl and Wilson Longfellow, daughter Connie Longfellow,
wife Thelma Longfellow, and his second wife Marion Updike Longfellow, granddaughters Pamela Pantry and Monica Longfellow.
Left to cherish memory are his fiance Arlene Hansell and her family, Ivan's son Richard Longfellow and wife Maralene of Clearfield;
daughter Diana Pantry and husband, Bud of Lancaster, Missouri; daughter Pat Kemery and husband, Wayne of Blockton; daughter Dixie Larsen and husband, Kenny of Clearfield, stepdaughter, Sherry Rowbotham and husband, Carroll of South Lake, Texas.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren and three step grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter, a sister Mary Hunter of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister-in-law Delores Longfellow of Creston, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 19, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield, Iowa with the Rev. Alan Rusk officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. John Parrish and Mrs. Kenny Nelson.
Casketbearers were Ed Nickell, Randy Hogue, James Butler, Grover Mains, Dick Stewart, Gordon Still, and Jack DeFreece. Honorary pallbearers were all of Ivan's friends.
Interment was in the Clearfield Cemetery at Clearfield, Iowa.
Wilson-Watson and Armstrong Funeral Home in Clearfield was in charge of the arrangements.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 21, 1998